I don't owe Formula One anything: Lewis Hamilton

Shanghai: Lewis Hamilton has claimed he does more to promote Formula One than anyone else and does not owe the sport a thing.

Lewis Hamilton

The 31-year-old three-time world champion, who won his first Grand Prix in Canada in 2007 and has an annual salary according to Forbes of £29million, insists he has worked harder than any driver, past or present, to sell the sport.

"I've been here for 10 years — given my blood, sweat and tears for the sport," the Mercedes driver told CNN. "So I don't feel like I owe it anything. I actually probably promote the sport more than any other driver ever has.

"I'm at more events talking about Formula One more than any driver ever has — probably all the other drivers put together and more. I don't feel like I have any more of a responsibility," he said.

Hamilton is currently 36 points adrift of Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg after three races in this year's championship.